inferno

noun

in·​fer·​no in-ˈfər-(ˌ)nō 

plural infernos

: a place or a state that resembles or suggests hell

the inferno of war

also : an intense fire : conflagration

a raging inferno

Synonyms of inferno

• fire

Examples of inferno in a Sentence

By the time help arrived, the fire had grown to a raging inferno.

the intense heat of the raging inferno repeatedly drove back the firefighters

Recent Examples on the Web

The Sheriff’s Office had recused itself from the investigation days after the inferno. —Sacbee.com, 11 Apr. 2026

At one point, eight tower ladders surrounded the building, shooting water onto the inferno from all directions, limiting the flames from spreading to other buildings. —Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 11 Apr. 2026

The inferno killed 19 people and destroyed thousands of homes and other structures in Altadena. —Melody Petersen, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026

Even dramas depicting the city as an inferno of crime and decay added to its legend. —Richard Brody, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Italian, hell, from Late Latin infernus

First Known Use

1834, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

inferno

noun

in·​fer·​no in-ˈfər-nō 

plural infernos

: a place or state that resembles or suggests hell especially in great heat or raging fire

Etymology

from Italian inferno "underworld, hell," from Latin infernus (same meaning), from earlier infernus (adjective) "lying beneath, in the lower regions"